Tomatoes

Tomatoes originally grew wild in South America, eventually making their way to Central America where the Aztecs and Mayans ate them. Their spread to other parts of the world is thanks to the Spanish, who brought the plant to Europe, paving the way for it to become a valued commodity.

There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes, from tiny, snack-sized types like grape and cherry, to the large heirloom tomato variants, such as the Cherokee purple and Homestead. The colors largely vary across cultivars, with shades ranging from yellow to red. They can be eaten raw, added to soups or stewed and made into sauces.

A mistake most people make when handling tomatoes is refrigerating them to “prolong” their shelf life. Doing this actually makes tomatoes mushy and mealy. Research also shows that refrigerating tomatoes diminishes their flavor.

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

One of the amazing things about tomatoes is the wide variety and quantity of nutrients they provide. They don’t just taste good — they’re good for you too, supplying excellent amounts of fiber, vitamins A, C and K, potassium and phosphorus, as well as trace amounts of iron, zinc, vitamin E, niacin and folate.

The surplus of nutrients found in tomatoes may provide you with the following health benefits:

• Supporting cardiovascular health —According to a 2003 review from Critical Review of Food Science and Nutrition, tomatoes contain nutrients that may help protect vascular cells from oxidation, shielding you from atherosclerosis.
• Helping preserve eye health —A 2013 review from the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry showed that optimizing lutein and zeaxanthin levels helps protect patients from age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation.
• Easing menopausal symptoms —A 2015 study from the Journal of Nutrition showed that the consumption of tomato juice helps to significantly reduce menopausal symptoms, including anxiety, increased heart rate and resting energy expenditure.

Tomatoes nutrition facts Serving Size: 3.5 ounces (100 grams), red, ripe, raw
	Amt. Per Serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	18
Calories from Fat
Total Fat	0.20 g
Saturated Fat	0.028 g
Trans Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	5 mg
Total Carbohydrates	3.89 g
Dietary Fiber	1.2 g
Sugar	2.63 g
Protein	0.88 g
Vitamin A42 µg	Vitamin C	13.7 mg
Calcium10 mg	Iron	0.27 mg

Studies Done on Tomatoes

In a study published in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, tests indicated that tomatoes may be a preventive factor against prostate cancer, especially when ingested in larger amounts.

We hear a lot about flavonoids and antioxidants being able to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Lycopene is an antioxidant that plays a large role in the benefits that tomatoes offer. A 2006 study from Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences showed that regular consumption of lycopene-rich food led to the decreased risk of ultraviolet damage.

A 2018 study from Frontiers in Pharmacology has also linked lycopene to improved cardiovascular health due to its antiatherosclerotic, antioxidant and antihypertensive properties.

Lack of lycopene intake may put your health at risk. Researchers conducted studies to determine the effects of withholding lycopene from the diet of 23 postmenopausal women for a month. Results showed not only depleted lycopene levels, but significantly lowered lutein, zeaxanthin, carotene, enzymatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels as well. These findings showed lycopene’s importance in helping maintain bone density and reducing the risk for osteoporosis.

However, there have been numerous issues concerning canned tomatoes due to the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in packaging. BPA is a chemical used in flame retardants, polycarbonates and epoxy resins used to line cans to stop direct contact between the metal and the food material.

Studies have shown that BPA can be transferred to food, leading to prolonged exposures in humans through consumption. BPA has also been linked to cancer, infertility and obesity in different age groups. In a study from Expert Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, it was discussed that BPA interfered with the production of reproductive hormones, semen quality and implantation odds in women who underwent in-vitro fertilization.

Tomatoes Fun Facts

In the Middle Ages, wealthy people often ate from pewter plates, but foods with a high acid content, like tomatoes, caused some of the lead to leach into the food, resulting in lead poisoning and death. For the next 200 years or so, tomatoes were considered toxic.

Summary

A multiplicity of varieties and preparations make tomatoes one of the most anticipated hallmarks of summer. The lycopene content alone is enough to make tomatoes one of the healthiest natural foods. Cardiovascular support and bone health are two functions the phytonutrients tomatoes provide, but their ability to cut cancer risks is also well-documented.

How fortunate we are to have such a delicious, versatile vegetable (fruit, technically) to enliven the dishes we prepare — not just for enjoyment, but for life!